Lions V NSW Waratahs

by hugehandoff Tue 11 Jun 2013, 3:35 pm

First topic message reminder :

This is obviously a very important game in the overall context of the tour. Gats should use it primarily as a tough run out for his test team 1 week before the test series begins. But will he still want to give some players a chance to put up their hands? Are there certain positions still up for grabs and if so will he try and use this game as a winner takes all shoot out. It is not ideal to still be asking players to play the Brumbies game and then appear in the 1st test, although not impossible.

For me it should be:

Adam Jones - nailed on
Hibbard - almost nailed on
Grant - experiment
POC - nailed on
AWJ - trial V Parling
Lydiate - needs to prove himself
Faletau - needs to prove himself
Warbs - needs to prove himself
Phillips - nailed on
Sexton - nailed on
North - nailed on
Roberts - nailed on
BOD - nailed on
Maitland - experiment
1/2P - nailed on

Bench:
Cole.....purely for some hard match practice as I see Jones as nailed on
T.Youngs....could challenge for a starting spot if he excels as a replacement - worth a look
Vuni.......originally viewed as an impact sub so interesting to see how he goes compared to the highly rated (by the Scots) Grant who is deserving of a start
Parling.....worth another look to see if he is worth a starting or bench spot
Croft....another who deserves a run out to see if he is worth a bench spot
Heaslip....given an opportunity could take the starters spot
Youngs....assuming he will be the test sub so let him see what impact he can make
Farrell....ditto as for Youngs

Is a 6/2 bench split a bit risky?

Who would you like to see run out on Sat and do you just want the test side to play or do you still see this as a chance to experiment and give players a fair crack?

Update with actual team.
Lions team: Leigh Halfpenny; Sean Maitland, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Simon Zebo; Jonathan Sexton, Mike Phillips; Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Paul O'Connell , Tom Croft, Sam Warburton (capt), Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Rob Kearney

by Cari Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:19 am

Tahs win at the breakdown again...Lions really having to defend here. Some good tackles.

by t1000advancedprototype Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:19 am

Drew Mitchell one man team.

by wales606 Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:19 am

Not liking Croft's lack of breakdown work - he is standing too wide in defense

by nathan Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:20 am

Croft making up for being handed off

by **LondonTiger** Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:20 am

Great work at that breakdown by Croft (I think - him and AWJ seem to have the same hair, or lack of)

by Hood83 Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:20 am

Yeah I'm an England fan Maesteg and I still think Croft is a luxury player. A flanker handed off by a winger, pathetic.

by wales606 Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:20 am

And now Croft proves me wrong...

by kiakahaaotearoa Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:21 am

Good passage of play from NSW there. Lions been giving great preparation for first test as they can expect this type of play.

by nathan Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:21 am

wales606 wrote:Not liking Croft's lack of breakdown work - he is standing too wide in defense

? He just turned the ball over

Edit: bit late!

by wales606 Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:22 am

God, Jonathan Davies is having one of the best games I have ever seen him play

by Hookisms and Hyperbole Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:22 am

George Carlin wrote:
Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:Maitland just lost his chance at a test place there.
Perhaps we could all just calm down a little.

You might not like it, but he's having a pretty dreadful match. Shame as I tipped him to make the test side before the tour started. Zebo has had a far, far better match today.

by BamBam Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:22 am

Brilliant

by flyhalffactory Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:22 am

Missed the first 35 mins

First thing I saw was a poor tackle by Croft a few minutes ago

Morning Campers by the way Very Happy

by **LondonTiger** Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:22 am

Great 15 man team try

by Cari Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:22 am

Alywynjo "Yeah, I'll just go on my own..."

WOOOP! Halfpenny!

by Hood83 Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:22 am

Get in - frickin love AWJ and Paul O'Connell

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:23 am

Zebo has been unreal. He is everywhere!

by wales606 Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:23 am

Well worked try!

JD2 is on fire

by maestegmafia Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:23 am

Wrote that and croft turned a ruck into a penalty to lions... GOOD WORK TOM CROFT...!maestegmafia wrote:Croft does no work whatsoever...

The closest he's got a ruck is outside centre position.

by t1000advancedprototype Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:23 am

AWJ man mountain.

Very impressed with Vunipola.

by nathan Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:24 am

wales606 wrote:God, Jonathan Davies is having one of the best games I have ever seen him play

He's made a few errors though, he rushed out from the defensive line which then led to the tars try.

by Cari Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:24 am

Some great performances so far from the Lions. It's really getting exciting now...the players know they need to fight for their place.

10-21 at HT.

by BamBam Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:25 am

Hood83 wrote:Yeah I'm an England fan Maesteg and I still think Croft is a luxury player. A flanker handed off by a winger, pathetic.

Ahem, Warburton/Morahan Very Happy

by flyhalffactory Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:25 am

wales606 wrote:God, Jonathan Davies is having one of the best games I have ever seen him play

Said it before the tour and will say it again Jon Davies is the first player Gatland should be pencilling

Foxy Davies is very under-rated by this forum, proving again that he has become a complete support midfield player

by t1000advancedprototype Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:25 am

North and Zebo have looked for work on this tour and proved very handy.

It's like having 3/4 centres.

by wales606 Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:25 am

Sorry Richie Gray, AWJ and POC have taken the starting shirt in this first 40

Second row has been immense

Still questions over the backrow for me

Centres are playing very well, and Zebo is quickly flying up the list

Halfpenny kicks another, if he hadn't missed that one kick he would be on a ridiculous streak

by kiakahaaotearoa Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:26 am

Why do I get the feeling if the result goes the Lions' way, this will help Australia's cause more than the Lions?

That said, hats off to the Lions for their work in this game. Soaked up the pressure on their line after breaks were made and came back strong to score. Certainly their confidence will be up based on this performance but perversely that is my concern for them.

by flyhalffactory Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:26 am

BamBam wrote:
Hood83 wrote:Yeah I'm an England fan Maesteg and I still think Croft is a luxury player. A flanker handed off by a winger, pathetic.

Ahem, Warburton/Morahan :hug:

Lets see if Croft is crucified like Warbs was when he missed a similar tackle

by Mad for Chelsea Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:27 am

a lot of people putting their hands up so far: Youngs, Wyn Jones, POC, Zebo, Davies, Halfpenny all been excellent. Been impressed by Warburton too, he's putting in a lot of work, and Croft gets a lot of bashing but has done well too. Vunipola solid and carried well, looking like the Test pack this one you'd have to say.

In the backs, as mentioned, Zebo and Davies putting in a real claim. Zebo might just be winning the second wing spot (assuming North has one nailed on, and given Maitland has struggled in this half). All in all, thought that was a very good half from the Lions.

by maestegmafia Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:27 am

Good first half

Lions defensive organisation is awful...! Really needs sorting out.

I can't see what pattern they are trying to use. But it is not working. Too haphazard.

Needs to tighten up massively before the test.

by BigTrevsbigmac Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:28 am

Croft, Zebo & POC stars of the first half

by Hookisms and Hyperbole Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:28 am

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Why do I get the feeling if the result goes the Lions' way, this will help Australia's cause more than the Lions?

That said, hats off to the Lions for their work in this game. Soaked up the pressure on their line after breaks were made and came back strong to score. Certainly their confidence will be up based on this performance but perversely that is my concern for them.

I would agreed to an extent. They have made mincemeat of the blitz defence at times. Theres a reason Wales are incapable of beating Australia and its beginning to show here too.

by maverickmak Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:29 am

Tom Youngs, the second row, Croft, Davies and Zebo all impressing. But its a pretty good half all round for the Lions, though Waburton is still a passenger...

by mystiroakey Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:29 am

Why are we playing in this horrible red kit. it looks like the welsh one. Why not white?

by flyhalffactory Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:29 am

I didn't see the first 30 mins but the last 10 hasn't been very good from the locks in defence or when the opposition adds tempo to their play

by wales606 Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:29 am

Just saw the replay, Zebo reall y should have finished that first chance

Halfpenny's name is all over the scoresheet - he just needs a drop goal now

by **Rugby Fan** Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:30 am

flyhalffactory wrote:Lets see if Croft is crucified like Warbs was when he missed a similar tackle

Do you think they should both be faulted, or both given a pass?

by Hookisms and Hyperbole Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:32 am

The decision to choose AWJ and Gray to partner POC will be so difficult.

Sky trying to show Warburton's 'highlights' at half time- it is not a compelling case. I can't see how you can pick him over Tipuric or SOB.

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:32 am

Rugby Fan wrote:
flyhalffactory wrote:Lets see if Croft is crucified like Warbs was when he missed a similar tackle

Do you think they should both be faulted, or both given a pass?

SOB missed a tackle on the winger last game too. Just to even things up a bit. Wink

by Cari Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:32 am

Well I'm sure the Aussies will be watching this closely. Maybe the positive start to the entire Lions tour will lull them into a false sense of security...? The Aussies are trying to wind them up already. Drew's recent article accusing the Lions of cheating for instance, and all this talk of poor teams being fielded for the Lions games so far?

by wales606 Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:33 am

Warburton doing some good work - the problem is that Croft doesn't do the backround work that a 6 normal does (just the way he plays the position) so Warbs is having to do a lot more of the fringe work

He is having a pretty good game though, but I agree with Quinell, he could use a big penalty win for his confidence

by HammerofThunor Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:34 am

Cari wrote:Well I'm sure the Aussies will be watching this closely. Maybe the positive start to the entire Lions tour will lull them into a false sense of security...? The Aussies are trying to wind them up already. Drew's recent article accusing the Lions of cheating for instance, and all this talk of poor teams being fielded for the Lions games so far?

wasn't that Dywer not Drew?

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:35 am

Sky trying to make us believe Warbs is playing well with that supposed "highlight reel"

He has been solid enough. Thats about it.

by Cari Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:36 am

HammerofThunor wrote:
Cari wrote:Well I'm sure the Aussies will be watching this closely. Maybe the positive start to the entire Lions tour will lull them into a false sense of security...? The Aussies are trying to wind them up already. Drew's recent article accusing the Lions of cheating for instance, and all this talk of poor teams being fielded for the Lions games so far?

wasn't that Dywer not Drew?

Pardon me you're correct Bob Dwyer...I was typing whilst listening to the HT chat.

by **LondonTiger** Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:36 am

flyhalffactory wrote:
BamBam wrote:
Hood83 wrote:Yeah I'm an England fan Maesteg and I still think Croft is a luxury player. A flanker handed off by a winger, pathetic.

Ahem, Warburton/Morahan :hug:

Lets see if Croft is crucified like Warbs was when he missed a similar tackle

Was Warburton crucified? Think Croft was pretty well bashed on this thread before your post Very Happy

Roberts has looked a little off the pace for me. Zebo has looked really good in broken play, but is he a natural try scorer? Maitland has struggled.

Tom Youngs, POC, AWJ, Sexton, JD2 and 1/2p have all impressed me.

by wales606 Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:38 am

The choice is really to do with what game Gatland wants to play

If you want a link player who will be quick to the ball but perhaps not so strong over the breakdown - Tipuric

If you want a more solid presence over the ball and a more physical 7 - Warburton

If you want a speedy backrower to run support lines and play defensively out wide - Croft

If you want a big carrier who can be physcal at the breadown - SOB

If you want a defensive unit would will do a lot of the dirty work around the breakdown - Lydiate

by valtrepkos Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:38 am

I think Warburton and croft have gone well together!

by Cari Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:38 am

No changes to the teams at HT...i would like to see Tips on, maybe Chilli too.

by flyhalffactory Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:39 am

LondonTiger wrote:
flyhalffactory wrote:
BamBam wrote:
Hood83 wrote:Yeah I'm an England fan Maesteg and I still think Croft is a luxury player. A flanker handed off by a winger, pathetic.

Ahem, Warburton/Morahan :hug:

Lets see if Croft is crucified like Warbs was when he missed a similar tackle

Was Warburton crucified? Think Croft was pretty well bashed on this thread before your post

Roberts has looked a little off the pace for me. Zebo has looked really good in broken play, but is he a natural try scorer? Maitland has struggled.

Tom Youngs, POC, AWJ, Sexton, JD2 and 1/2p have all impressed me.

I am talking about the days of forum bashing after his first game

by Cari Sat 15 Jun 2013, 11:40 am

HALFPENNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yahoo

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